‘‘New province-specific work permits to protect status and stabilize workforce—applications open April 22, 2025’’
In a move aimed at protecting immigration candidates from falling out of status, Manitoba has introduced a special work permit program under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Announced by Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino on April 15, 2025, the initiative allows eligible MPNP candidates to apply for a Manitoba specific work permit valid for up to two years.
Set to open April 22, the program is designed for individuals already residing in the province whose work
permits are about to expire—or have already expired—and who have maintained a valid Expression of
Interest (EOI) profile with the MPNP.
WHO QUALIFIES?
To be eligible, candidates must meet both provincial and federal criteria. Provincially, applicants must:
- Currently hold a work permit that expires within 45 days OR have held a permit that expired in 2024 or 2025.
- Have been continuously living in Manitoba since before January 15, 2025.
- Have had a valid MPNP EOI profile on January 15, 2025, which remains active
- Provide a letter of employment from their current Manitoba employer.
Additionally, applicants must meet conditions under Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) temporary public policy, introduced in August 2024, which allows certain PNP candidates to apply for open work permits (OWPs).
Under this federal policy, individuals may qualify if they:
- Currently hold a valid work permit.
- Held a work permit on May 7, 2024 that has since expired, and have applied for restoration or extension.
- Had maintained status as of May 7, 2024, with a pending or approved extension application submitted before that date.
HOW TO APPLY
Eligible candidates can apply online for a Support Letter from the MPNP, starting April 22, 2025. This letter is required to submit a work permit application to IRCC under the federal policy. Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2025, when the federal public policy is set to expire.
Applicants must provide:
- A copy of their MPNP Expression of Interest profile.
- A current employment letter from a Manitoba employer.
- One of the following:
- A valid work permit
- Proof of authorization to work
- Documentation showing they held a valid permit on May 7, 2024, and have applied for restoration of status
Important: Receiving a Support Letter is not guaranteed, even if eligibility criteria are met. Manitoba
reserves the right to limit the number of letters issued.
WHO’S EXCLUDED?
Notably, foreign nationals who have already received a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) through the Manitoba PNP are not eligible for this new work permit stream.
WHY IT MATTERS
With tighter federal immigration quotas and mounting pressure on provinces to manage backlogs, this temporary measure offers a crucial stopgap to prevent skilled workers from losing their legal status while waiting for their permanent residency pathway to resume.
Manitoba’s action is part of a broader nationwide response to the federal government’s cut in PNP allocations by 50% for 2025—a move that has forced provinces to adapt quickly and restructure their immigration priorities.
